South Ripley High School senior first baseman/pitcher Derik Hutton has signed a letter of intent to play baseball at the University of Southern Indiana in 2003. Hutton is the first player signed by USI Head Coach Mike Goedde this spring.

Hutton has helped South Ripley to a 10-7 record overall, 8-0 in the Ohio River Valley Conference this year. He is hitting .280 with 19 RBIs, 12 runs scored, and two home runs this season. The senior from Versailles, Indiana, also is 1-0 with a 4.91 ERA.

As a sophomore, Hutton set the South Ripley record for home runs (10) and RBIs (38) in a single season. During that season, he also hit .349 with 25 runs scored.

The two-time ORVC All-Conference player has had back-to-back outstanding summers, hitting .497 with 51 RBIs and 21 doubles for the Cincinnati Future Stars in 2000 and .493 with 32 RBIs and 13 doubles for the Madison Legion Post #9 in 2001.

“Derik will be expected to step in an help immediately,” said Goedde. “A two-position player provides us with someone we can count on pitching and playing defense.

“Derik is a very solid left-handed hitter and pitcher and gets our recruiting class off to a great start for 2003,” concluded Goedde.